Mobile Identification Number

What Does Mobile Identification Number Mean?

A mobile identification number (MIN) is a serial number that uniquely identifies a cell phone services subscriber within a mobile carrier network. It is used by mobile phone services providers to identify subscribers within its database, specifically when routing calls.

Advertisements

MIN can also be called a mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN).

Techopedia Explains Mobile Identification Number

MIN is similar to standard phone/mobile numbers but it is not the same thing. In most countries, MIN is a 10-digit number that is derived from the mobile’s phone number. It consists of two different parts MIN 1 and MIN 2. The MIN 1 is usually the 24-bit number after the area code. MIN 2 is the area/mobile subscriber code. The mobile number identifies the subscriber directory number, an electronic serial number for identifying the phone number, whereas the MIN is used to identify the subscriber.

The use of MIN became prevalent after the introduction of mobile number portability as subscribers were able to switch between different providers, making the mobile/subscriber directory number a less favorable way to track subscribers.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Network Management Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…